Well, this morning we found out that you will not be returning as head coach of the Detroit Lions in 2018. Though the decision did not come as a surprise, something was a little different this time around.

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You see, for the most part, when a coach is fired in Detroit, many fans immediately celebrate like they just won a championship. There is often a hatred that starts to develop when a coach fails to win a title, even though the coach is not the only one responsible.

That feeling is not quite the same this time.

You see, Jim, even though you were not able to lead the Lions to a Super Bowl, you were able to lead many of the players you coached to be better men off of the field. Every single player who has ever spoken publically about you has emphasized your mentorship to them.

In addition, though many of the folks in the media constantly ripped you for being a closed book in your press conferences, anyone with a brain understands you were just doing your job, not trying to be difficult.

Thank you for being a true leader on and off the field and thank you for being a true role model to everyone you were around. You have always been the definition of classy and for that we thank you.

We wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors and who knows, maybe you will stay on in some capacity in the Lions organization.